The taxonomic status of the species is uncertain. In Panama, it is thought to be endemic and confined to a small and threatened population in Darién, near the Colombian border. However, the species is also listed in Brako, L. and J. Zarucchi (1993) Catalogue of Flowering Plants and Gymnosperms of Peru as a synonym of Tovomita krukovii, which is widespread in South America. This relationship has not been confirmed.

The taxonomic status of the species is uncertain. In Panama, it is thought to be endemic and confined to a small and threatened subpopulation in Darién, near the Colombian border. However, the species is also listed in Brako, L. and J. Zarucchi (1993) Catalogue of Flowering Plants and Gymnosperms of Peru as a synonym of Tovomita krukovii, which is widespread in South America. This relationship has not been confirmed.